In the TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus), 142 rare diseases have been identified in 208 people

Minister of Health of TRNC, Hakan Dinçyürek, revealed that 142 rare diseases have been identified in 208 people in Northern Cyprus. The Ministry of Health is taking measures to combat rare diseases.

According to information provided by the Ministry of Health of TRNC, the Minister made this statement on the occasion of Rare Disease Day.

In particular, according to the Minister, the infrastructure of the genetic laboratory and kits for testing rare diseases have been strengthened at the Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital in Nicosia.

The Minister also noted that a database has been created in TRNC for conducting epidemiological research, and the diagnosis and monitoring of rare diseases require the cooperation of specialists in many fields.

The Minister of Health thanked the pediatric specialist at the Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital, Dr. Doğu Ceren Polat, and the professor of the Department of Medical Genetics at the Middle East University and the head of the molecular medicine laboratory, Associate Professor Mahmut Çerkez Ergören, for their contribution to research in this area.

Hakan Dinçyürek also reminded that "Rare Disease Day" is celebrated on the last day of February as part of the "awareness day" declared by the European Rare Diseases Association (EURORDIS) in 2008 to draw attention to rare or unknown diseases.

"Diseases that occur in fewer than 1 in every 2,000 people in society are defined as 'rare diseases.' It is estimated that rare diseases affect more than 470 million people worldwide, which is 5 to 8 percent of the population. 80 percent of such diseases have a genetic origin," the Minister said.

The specific rare diseases identified in Northern Cyprus were not specified by the Minister of Health.